Portable hunting blind

ABSTRACT

A portable hunting blind configurable between a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration composed of a collapsible frame and a flaccidly flexible skin which covers the frame. The frame has a U-shaped base, a U-shaped upright which is pivotally connected to the base and is selectively height adjustable, a U-shaped first forward support pivotally connected to the upright, and a U-shaped second forward support pivotally connected to the first forward support. The skin is shaped to provide a generally taut fit when the frame is in the deployed configuration. At least one window is formed in the skin for peering thereout and shooting therethrough. A buttress, preferably in the form of a draw belt, is connected to each side of the upright near the upper end thereof, wherein a first belt member passes through a first slit formed in the skin at one side of the opening, and a second belt member passes through a second slit formed in the skin at the other side of the opening. The draw belt is provided with a connection feature which allows the two belt members to be wrapped around a tree trunk and then fastened together so as to thereby hold-up the frame. The portable hunting blind may be used on the ground or cooperatively with a tree blind.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to blinds used by hunters forhunting animals, and more particularly to a hunting blind that isportable in the sense that it is easily carriable in its collapsedconfiguration and is readily set-up from the collapsed configurationinto a deployed configuration.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Hunting blinds are used extensively by hunters to concealthemselves from their animal prey. For example, land owning riflehunters frequently construct wooden huts having windows through whichthe hunter peers and shoots. Further for example, bow hunters frequentlydeploy blinds elevated in trees (usually referred to simply as a treeblind), wherein a platform is connected to the tree, as for example by abelt engirding the trunk, often with one or more acutely angled supportsthereunder.

[0005] Problematically, hunters who use state and federal land forhunting cannot construct wooden blinds and leave them in position foruse season after season. These hunters are at a disadvantage becausethey must sit motionless in a forest while being subjected to the fullforce of the elements acting upon them. Exposure to cold, wind, snow andrain can make a hunting trip miserable, if not dangerous to the hunter'shealth. And, while some tree blinds are portable so as to be usable onstate and federal land, the hunter using them is elevated so as to beunnoticed by the hunter's prey, but these tree blinds offer noprotection against the elements. Again, a land owner who has the rightto build permanent and semipermanent structures can avail himself of atent or some other coverage to a tree blind located on his property.

[0006] Accordingly, what remains needed in the art is a portable huntingblind which allows any hunter to readily set-up a hunting blindanywhere, wherein the hunter is safe from the elements and is able topeer out and shoot from within.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is a portable hunting blind which isconfigurable from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration,wherein the portable hunting blind is easily carried when in thecollapsed configuration, and is readily reconfigured to the deployedconfiguration whereat the hunter is safe from the elements and has theadvantages offered by a permanent hunting blind, including the abilityto peer out and shoot prey from within. The portable hunting blindaccording to the present invention is composed of a collapsible frameand a flaccidly flexible skin which covers the frame.

[0008] The frame is preferably composed of a U-shaped base; a U-shapedupright which is pivotally connected to the base and is selectivelyheight adjustable; a U-shaped first forward support pivotally connectedto the upright, and a U-shaped second forward support pivotallyconnected to the first forward support. A preferred frame material is alight weight, yet rigid tubular construction, as for example aluminum orplastic conduit.

[0009] The skin is shaped to provide a generally taut fit when the frameis in the deployed configuration. A front window is preferably formed ina front panel of the skin, composed of a flexible plastic which isopenable for purposes of permitting shooting through an open space inthe skin, and closable for purposes of keeping out the elements. A pairof side windows are also preferably formed in side panels of the skin. Adoorway is provided in a rear panel of the skin, closable preferably bya zipper. A first holding flap is provided at the interior of the frontpanel to hold the first forward support in a fixed position relative tothe skin. At least one second holding flap is provided at the interiorof the front panel to hold the second forward support in a fixedposition relative to the skin.

[0010] A buttress, in the most preferred form of a draw belt, isconnected to each side of the upright near the upper end thereof,wherein a first belt member passes through a first slit formed in theskin at one side of the opening, and a second belt member passes througha second slit formed in the skin at the other side of the opening. Thedraw belt is provided with a connection feature which allows the twobelt members to be wrapped around a tree trunk and then fastenedtogether so as to thereby hold-up the frame.

[0011] The portable hunting blind according to the present invention maybe used on the ground or cooperatively with a tree blind.

[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea portable hunting blind.

[0013] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide aportable hunting blind which is easily carried, easily set-up, protectsthe hunter from the elements, and allows the hunter to peer and shoot.

[0014] It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide aportable hunting blind which may be deployed on the ground or may beused in cooperation with a tree blind.

[0015] These, and additional objects, advantages, features and benefitsof the present invention will become apparent from the followingspecification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the portable hunting blindaccording to the present invention, shown in operation.

[0017]FIG. 1A is a partly sectional side view as in FIG. 1, showing inparticular the frame according to the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame according to the presentinvention, wherein the skin is shown in phantom.

[0019]FIGS. 2A through 2D are detail views of connection members of theframe according to the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a rear view of the portable hunting blind according tothe present invention.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a front view of the portable hunting blind according tothe present invention.

[0022]FIG. 5 is a partly sectional interior view of the portable huntingblind according to the present invention, showing in particular theinside of the front panel of the skin.

[0023]FIG. 6A is a side view of the frame according to the presentinvention, seen depicted in a collapsed configuration, wherein the skinis shown thereover in phantom.

[0024]FIG. 6B is a bottom view, seen along line 6B in FIG. 6A.

[0025]FIGS. 7A through 7C show side views of sequential erection stepsfor the portable hunting blind, from the collapsed configuration to thedeployed configuration.

[0026]FIG. 8 is a side view depiction of the portable hunting blindaccording to the present invention being used in cooperation with a treeblind.

[0027]FIG. 8A is a detail side view of a connection assembly between theframe according to the present invention and a tree blind as shown atFIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0028] Referring now to the Drawing, FIG. 1 depicts a preferredembodiment of the portable hunting blind 10 according to the presentinvention, shown in operation in association with a tree 12. Theportable hunting blind 10 is generally composed of an exterior skin 14supported by an interior frame 16. The frame 16 is held erect by a drawbelt 18 which interconnects with the frame and is connected to aselected independent article, as for example the trunk 12a of the tree12.

[0029] Referring now additionally to FIGS. 2 through 2D, the preferredframe 16 will be detailed.

[0030] The frame 16 includes a U-shaped base 18 having at least onecross brace 18 a, a preferred number of two being shown in FIG. 2. AU-shaped upright 20 is pivotally connected, via a first pivot connector22 shown at FIG. 2A, to the base 18. The upright 20 is telescopicallyheight adjustable, wherein a reduced cross-section portion 20 c, 20 c'isconnected with respect to a pair of first upright legs 20 a, 20 a'suchthat each reduced cross-section portion is telescopically received intoa respective second upright leg 20 b, 20 b'. A collar 24 (see FIG. 2B)is connected with a distal end of each of the second upright legs 20 b,20 b'. The length (or height) of the upright 20 is selectively adjustedvia a set-screw 26 threadably engaged with the collar 24 being caused toselectively press upon the respectively telescoped reduced cross-sectionportion of the first upright member to thereby retain a selected height.A U-shaped first forward support 28 is pivotally connected to theupright via a second pivot connector 30 (see FIG. 2C) having a collar 25which is affixed, respectively, to each of the first upright legs 20 a,20 a'adjacent the respective reduced cross-section portions. The minimumtelescoped height of the upright 20 is defined when the collars 24, 25mutually abut or the collars 24 and the first upright legs 20 a, 20a'mutually abut. A U-shaped second forward support 32 is pivotallyconnected to the first forward support via third pivot connectors 34(see FIG. 2D). The location of the second pivot connectors 34 isadjustably positionable on the first forward support 28 via sliding of asecond collar 36 along the first forward support and affixing via asecond set-screw 38. A preferred frame material is a light weight, yetrigid tubular construction, as for example aluminum or plastic conduit.

[0031] Referring now additionally to FIGS. 3 through 5, the preferredskin 14 will be detailed.

[0032] The skin 14 is shaped to provide a generally taut fit in relationto the frame 16 when the frame is in the deployed configuration, asshown generally at FIGS. 1 and 1A. A front window 40 is preferablyformed in a front panel 42 of the skin 14, as shown at FIG. 4. Thewindow includes a flexible see-through plastic covering 44 which isopenable for purposes of permitting shooting through an open space 46 inthe skin, and closable for purposes of keeping out the elements. Theplastic covering 44 may, for example be held in the closed position viaVELCRO (TM of Velcro USA) 48. A pair of side windows 50 (each asgenerally represented by the single side window shown at FIG. 1) arealso preferably formed in side panels 52 of the skin 14. Each sidewindow 50 preferably has flexible screening (ie., nylon) 52 and anopenable/closable flexible see-through plastic covering 54 via snaps 56or via VELCRO as aforementioned. Alternatively, the screening may beomitted or also be openable/closable so as to allow shootingtherethrough. A preferred material for the skin is a flaccidly flexiblewaterproof nylon, canvass or plastic material, having preferably acamouflage pattern.

[0033] A doorway 58 is provided via a vertical slit 60 in a rear panel62 of the skin 14 which is closable preferably by a zipper 64 (see FIG.3).

[0034] As shown at FIG. 5, a first holding flap 66 is provided at theinterior of the front panel 42 to hold the first forward support 28 in afixed position relative to the skin 14. The first holding flap 66 may besecured via a zipper 68, VELCRO, snaps, etc. A second holding flap 70 isprovided at the interior of the front panel 42, as well preferably, areprovided first and second axillary holding flaps 70 a, 70 b located atthe interior of the side panels 52, to hold the second forward support32 in a fixed position relative to the skin 14. Again, the secondholding flap 70 and the first and second axillary holding flaps 70 a, 70b may be secured via a zipper 72, 72 a, 72 b, VELCRO, snaps, etc.

[0035] A buttress is preferably provided by the draw belt 18 has firstand second belt members 18 a, 18 b, each being connected to a respectivefirst upright leg 20 a, 20 a'of the upright member 20, as for example bya closed loop therearound. The first belt member 18 a passes through afirst slit 74 a formed in the skin 14 at one side of the doorway 58, andthe second belt member 18 b passes through a second slit 74 b formed inthe skin at the other side of the doorway, both sklits being spaced nearthe top 76 of the portable hunting blind 10. The draw belt is providedwith a connection feature 78, as for example a buckle or VELCRO whichallows the two belt members to be wrapped around a tree trunk and thenselectively pulled taut and fastened together so as to thereby hold-upthe frame as shown at FIGS. 1 and 1A. Alternatively, where the portablehunting blind 10 is to be used in open land, the buttress may be a ropesand stakes type buttress 15, wherein a pair of ropes is connected to theframe (as the draw belt to the frame) and acutely angle toward theground and affixed thereto via a pair of stakes (see FIG. 7C).

[0036] As shown at FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the portable hunting blind 10is in the collapsed configuration, it is configured compactly forcarrying by a person grasping the lower end with the fingers 80 of ahand and holding the portable hunting blind between the arm 82 and waistand between the hand and arm pit.

[0037]FIGS. 7A through 7C show stages of the erection process (from thecollapsed configuration to the deployed configuration) of the portablehunting blind 10, starting from a placement thereof upon the ground asshown at FIG. 6A. The hunter unzips the zipper 64 and enters into theportable hunting blind. Next, the upright 20 is pivoted away from thebase 18, as indicated by arrow A (FIG. 7A). Then, the upright 20 isrotated to about ninety degrees relative to the base 18, as indicated byarrow B, and the first and second support arms 28, 32 are secured totheir respective holding flaps 66, 70, 70 a, 70 b, wherein in thisregard, the first support arm typically remains substantially in placeand the second support arm is pivoted as indicated by arrow C (FIG. 7B).The upright 20 is then telescopically raised relative to the base 18 asindicated by arrow D and the set-screws 26 tightened to maintain theselected height. Finally, the buttress is fastened to an externalobject, either for example via the aforementioned draw belt 18 or viathe aforementioned ropes and stakes type buttress 15, so as to therebyhold-up the frame as shown at FIGS. 1, 1A and 7C. To go from thedeployed configuration to the collapsed configuration the above stepsare generally reversed.

[0038]FIGS. 8 and 8A depict the portable hunting blind 10 according tothe present invention configured to cooperate with a tree blind 84located in a tree 12'. In this regard, the frame 16 is fastened to theplatform 86 of the tree blind 84 via, for example, brackets 88 and bolts90 which pass through holes in the platform and thereby hold the base 18to the platform. Once the frame 16 is secured to the platform, the skin14 may be slipped over the frame and over the platform via passagethrough the doorway 58. The first and second support arms 28, 32 aresecured to their respective holding flaps 66, 70, 70 a, 70 b, and theupright 20 telescopically is raised and secured. Lastly, the draw beltis wrapped around the tree trunk 12 a', and then selectively pulled tautand fastened together via the connection feature 78 so as to therebyhold-up the frame.

[0039] To those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains,the above described preferred embodiment may be subject to change ormodification. Such change or modification can be carried out withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, which is intended to belimited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable hunting blind, comprising: a frameconfigurable between a collapsed configuration and a deployedconfiguration, said frame comprising: a base; an upright pivotallyconnected to said base, said upright being selectively lengthadjustable; and at least one forward support pivotally connected to saidupright at a medial location of said upright; wherein when said frame isat said collapsed configuration said upright has a first length andwherein said upright, said at least one forward support and said baseare substantially adjacent each other, further wherein when said frameis at said deployed configuration said upright has a selected secondlength, said upright is oriented substantially perpendicular to saidbase and said at least one forward support projects from said uprightover said base, and wherein said second length is longer than said firstlength; and a flaccidly flexible skin covering said frame, said skinbeing generally taut in relation to said frame when said frame is atsaid deployed configuration.
 2. The portable hunting blind of claim 1,further comprising a buttress connected with said upright for beingattached with a selected article independent of said portable huntingblind for retaining said frame at said deployed configuration.
 3. Theportable hunting blind of claim 2, wherein said skin has a rear paneladjacent said upright, said rear panel having a selectively closabledoorway formed therein.
 4. The portable hunting blind of claim 3,wherein said upright is U-shaped having first and second legs, whereineach of said first and second legs is telescopically extensible, andwherein said first and second legs each have a selectively releasablemechanism to hold the respective first and second legs at the selectedsecond length.
 5. The portable hunting blind of claim 4, wherein saidbase has a first end and a second end, said first and second legs ofsaid upright being pivotally connected to said base at substantiallysaid second end.
 6. The portable hunting blind of claim 5, wherein saidat least one forward support comprises: a U-shaped first forward supportpivotally connected to a medial location of each of said first andsecond legs of said upright; and a U-shaped second forward supportpivotally connected to said first forward support substantially adjacentsaid upright.
 7. The portable hunting blind of claim 6, wherein saidskin has formed therein at least one window comprising an opening insaid skin and a flexible plastic covering for selectively covering saidopening.
 8. The portable hunting blind of claim 7, further comprising:at least one selectively closable first flap connected with said skinfor holding said first forward support at a first predetermined locationwith respect to said skin; and at least one selectively closable secondflap connected with said skin for holding said second forward support ata second predetermined location with respect to said skin.
 9. Theportable hunting blind of claim 2, further comprising bracket means forholding said base with respect to a platform of a tree blind.
 10. Theportable hunting blind of claim 9, wherein said skin has a rear paneladjacent said upright, said rear panel having a selectively closabledoorway formed therein.
 11. The portable hunting blind of claim 10,wherein said upright is U-shaped having first and second legs, whereineach of said first and second legs is telescopically extensible, andwherein said first and second legs each have a selectively releasablemechanism to hold the respective first and second legs at the selectedsecond length.
 12. The portable hunting blind of claim 11, wherein saidbase has a first end and a second end, said first and second legs ofsaid upright being pivotally connected to said base at substantiallysaid second end.
 13. The portable hunting blind of claim 12, whereinsaid at least one forward support comprises: a U-shaped first forwardsupport pivotally connected to a medial location of each of said firstand second legs of said upright; and a U-shaped second forward supportpivotally connected to said first forward support substantially adjacentsaid upright.
 14. The portable hunting blind of claim 13, wherein saidskin has formed therein at least one window comprising an opening insaid skin and a flexible plastic covering for selectively covering saidopening.
 15. The portable hunting blind of claim 14, further comprising:at least one selectively closable first flap connected with said skinfor holding said first forward support at a first predetermined locationwith respect to said skin; and at least one selectively closable secondflap connected with said skin for holding said second forward support ata second predetermined location with respect to said skin.
 16. Aportable hunting blind, comprising: a frame configurable between acollapsed configuration and a deployed configuration, said framecomprising: a base; an upright pivotally connected to said base, saidupright being selectively length adjustable; and at least one forwardsupport pivotally connected to said upright at a medial location of saidupright; wherein when said frame is at said collapsed configuration saidupright has a first length and wherein said upright, said at least oneforward support and said base are substantially adjacent each other,further wherein when said frame is at said deployed configuration saidupright has a selected second length, said upright is orientedsubstantially perpendicular to said base and said at least one forwardsupport projects from said upright over said base, and wherein saidsecond length is longer than said first length; and a flaccidly flexibleskin covering said frame, said skin being generally taut in relation tosaid frame when said frame is at said deployed configuration; and abuttress connected with said upright for being attached with a selectedarticle independent of said portable hunting blind for retaining saidframe at said deployed configuration.
 17. The portable hunting blind ofclaim 16, further comprising bracket means for holding said base withrespect to a platform of a tree blind.